Latest news with #EURelations
Times of Oman
18-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Visit will help India find favourable FTA with EU: Envoy Goel on PM's visit to Croatia
Zagreb: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Croatia will play a crucial role in securing a favourable Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union as well as enhanced trade between India and Croatia, said Ambassador of India to Croatia, Arun Goel, on Tuesday. Speaking to ANI, ahead of the PM's first-ever visit to Croatia, Goel said the visit can be seen as a pivotal step in strengthening India's engagement with EU partners. Goel, noting the imbalance in bilateral trade between the two nations, stated that the scope of growth in trade in both directions was immense. "If we look at the current trade numbers between India and Croatia, it is growing year to year; as of today, Croatian exports are something like USD 27 billion, and they are exporting to India just USD 70 million, which is 0.26 per cent. Croatia is importing goods and services worth USD 47 billion, and they are importing from India just USD 380 million, which is 0.67 per cent. The scope of growth in trade in both directions between India and Croatia is immense," he said. Goel pointed out that as India, currently the fourth-largest economy globally, aims to become the third-largest, increasing exports to the EU is crucial. "Croatia has been a member of the EU since 2013 and a member of the Eurozone since 2023. So this visit will help us find a partner through whom we'll be able to find a more balanced and favourable FTA with the EU," he added. Goel highlighted the PM's visit, which includes bilateral discussions with Croatian President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, a visit to the Homeland Memorial, and a walk to connect with the public, is expected to elevate the bilateral relationship. The Ambassador revealed that four agreements will be signed during the visit, covering agriculture and allied activities, science and technology, cultural exchange, and the extension of the Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb. "One is the agreement on agriculture and allied activities, wherein as many as 30 areas of cooperation have been identified. Then a programme of cooperation in science and technology is being signed where both countries in all the areas of science and technology will identify joint projects and joint research projects. Cultural exchange programme is being extended for five more years, and then the extension of the already ongoing Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb," he detailed, highlighting opportunities in emerging technologies, maritime research, and cultural heritage. Goel also underscored the significance of PM Modi's visit as a global leadership gesture, noting the enthusiasm among the Croatian diaspora. "There are 38 million Croatians in the country and about 4 million Croatians outside Croatia living in the US, Australia, Germany, and so on. They look at this first visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, not merely as a visit by India's Prime Minister, but a visit by a global leader because they consider Narendra Modi Ji, who in the present unstable times is considered by them as a pillar to bring about global peace," he said. Additionally, Goel highlighted specific sectors where India and Croatia are likely to deepen collaboration, particularly in the influx of Indian workers to Croatia. "Till about three years ago, we had less than 100 Indians in Croatia. In the last three years, because of the demographic complementarity, a number of Indian workers have come here. They are very happy to be here. They feel absolutely safe to be here. That's very important, and Croatians consider Indians as hard-working, skilled, reliable, peace-loving people who are adding to their economy," he noted, indicating a positive trend that is expected to grow as Croatia's economy expands. PM Modi will be visiting the European nation in the final leg of his three-nation tour at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, on June 18. This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, marking an important milestone in the bilateral relationship. Modi will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Plenkovic and meet the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic. The visit to Croatia will also underscore India's commitment to further strengthening its engagement with partners in the European Union.
Khaleej Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Rivals Meloni and Macron seek to mend fences in Rome talks
Italy's Giorgia Meloni and France's Emmanuel Macron met Tuesday in Rome, seeking to reconcile their differences as they confront common challenges, notably US tariffs and the Ukraine war. The far-right prime minister welcomed the centrist French president to her Palazzo Chigi office, the pair kissing lightly on the cheek and both smiling. A guard of honour played both national anthems before the two European rivals headed inside for talks and a dinner, with no plans to speak to the press. They are not natural political allies, but as the leaders of the EU's second- and third-largest economies, they are both grappling with the fall-out from the war in Ukraine, as well as US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs against the bloc. Meloni on Friday acknowledged "divergences" with Macron but denied she had any "personal problems" with him, and said she was "very happy" with the visit. An Italian government source said Rome and Paris hoped to "lay the foundations for a further strengthening of relations" between two nations "on the front line of the various fronts of international politics". Macron's office said Italy was "an important partner" with "a crucial role to play in European decisions", particularly in the Ukrainian conflict. Despite their political rivalry, the French presidency said the two leaders were showing they were "capable of moving forward together on the essentials". 'Undeniable rivalry' Their cooperation has been sorely tested by Trump, with the pair disagreeing over how to deal with the US president on both tariffs and Ukraine. Meloni and Macron have and "undeniable rivalry", said Marc Lazar, a professor at Sciences Po university in Paris. He said the pair were following different strategies with Meloni seeking "mediation and compromise" with the US president and Macron favouring "unwavering firmness". Rome "believes that because it is ideologically close to the US administration... it will be able to force it to back down on trade tariffs", he told AFP. But while Paris says it has "respect" for those who can "maintain the best possible relationship with President Trump", it insists trade negotiations are the responsibility of the European Commission -- effectively sidelining Meloni as a would-be mediator. On Ukraine, Macron presents himself as the EU's go-to man on the issue, speaking to Trump regularly and invoking the relationship developed during the billionaire's first term. And he has seriously ruffled feathers in Rome with his attempts to put together a "coalition of the willing" ready to provide "security guarantees" to Ukraine. In recent weeks, the French president's meetings on the Russian invasion with the British, German and Polish leaders -- but without Meloni -- have ratcheted up tensions. Paris says that "between Europeans, the issue of formats must be arranged to achieve the best impact we can under the circumstances". It says that Italy has always insisted the US take part. But Lazar notes that as a nuclear power with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, France sees itself as less dependent on the United States. The mood was not helped when an adviser to Macron dismissed Italy's proposal to grant Ukraine protection under Article 5 of the NATO treaty without Kyiv joining the military alliance itself. The article stipulates that if one member is attacked all the others must act as if they too were attacked. While that idea "deserves discussion", it would in practice be very hard to implement, Lazar said, not least "because if the Trump administration refuses Ukraine's accession, it is precisely because it does not want to implement Article 5 for Ukraine's benefit".
Al Arabiya
03-06-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Rivals Meloni and Macron seek to mend ties in Rome talks
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and France's President Emmanuel Macron will aim to reconcile their difference in talks in Rome on Tuesday, with both sides seeking to cope with US tariffs and the conflict in Ukraine. The European rivals are meeting in the Italian capital from 1800 GMT for talks and then dinner, an encounter Macron said he had initiated. The centrist president and nationalist far-right Meloni are not natural political allies. But as the leaders of the EU's second- and third-largest economies, they face similar challenges in the Ukraine war and US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs against the bloc. Meloni on Friday acknowledged 'divergences' with Macron but denied she had any 'personal problems' with him, and said she was 'very happy' with the visit. An Italian government source said Rome and Paris hoped to 'lay the foundations for a further strengthening of relations' between two nations 'on the front line of the various fronts of international politics.' Macron's office said Italy was 'an important partner' with 'a crucial role to play in European decisions,' particularly in the Ukrainian conflict. Despite their political rivalry, the French presidency said the two leaders were showing they were 'capable of moving forward together on the essentials.' 'Undeniable rivalry' Their cooperation has been sorely tested by Trump, with the pair disagreeing over how to deal with the US president on both tariffs and Ukraine. Meloni and Macron have and 'undeniable rivalry,' said Marc Lazar, a professor at Sciences Po university in Paris. He said the pair were following different strategies with Meloni seeking 'mediation and compromise' with the US president and Macron favoring 'unwavering firmness.' Rome 'believes that because it is ideologically close to the US administration... it will be able to force it to back down on trade tariffs,' he told AFP. But while Paris says it has 'respect' for those who can 'maintain the best possible relationship with President Trump,' it insists trade negotiations are the responsibility of the European Commission -- effectively sidelining Meloni as a would-be mediator. On Ukraine, Macron presents himself as the EU's go-to man on the issue, speaking to Trump regularly and invoking the relationship developed during the billionaire's first term. And he has seriously ruffled feathers in Rome with his attempts to put together a 'coalition of the willing' ready to provide 'security guarantees' to Ukraine. In recent weeks, the French president's meetings on the Russian invasion with the British, German and Polish leaders -- but without Meloni -- have ratcheted up tensions. Paris says that 'between Europeans, the issue of formats must be arranged to achieve the best impact we can under the circumstances.' It says that Italy has always insisted the US take part. But Lazar notes that as a nuclear power with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, France sees itself as less dependent on the United States. The mood was not helped when an adviser to Macron dismissed Italy's proposal to grant Ukraine protection under Article 5 of the NATO treaty without Kyiv joining the military alliance itself. The article stipulates that if one member is attacked all the others must act as if they too were attacked. While that idea 'deserves discussion,' it would in practice be very hard to implement, Lazar said, not least 'because if the Trump administration refuses Ukraine's accession, it is precisely because it does not want to implement Article 5 for Ukraine's benefit.'
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nawrocki's victory is a huge triumph for Trump
Poland has a history of confounding its critics and opponents to its West as well as its East. In Brussels or Moscow, the outcome of Poland's presidential election is a disappointment. The EU Commission had obviously hoped for the victory of the liberal Europhile mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski, who was a vocal proponent of the Brussels consensus on abortion, gay rights and even the liberalised migration rules backed by Poland's current premier and ex-EU insider, Donald Tusk. But these views were vehemently rejected by the nationalist winner, Karol Nawrocki. The new president also has a track record of being a fierce critic of Russia and has personally antagonised the Kremlin by supporting the removal of Soviet war memorials as well as Communist monuments in Poland, but his victory is a mixed blessing for Ukraine. Unlike the EU's two pro-Russian governments in Hungary and Slovakia, Nawrocki is no Kremlin apologist. As an historian Nawrocki has emphasised Poland's long history of repression by the Russian empire as well as the Soviet Union, so he is not a friend of the Kremlin. But, like his ally, the current Polish President, Andrzej Duda, Nawrocki does not ignore the bitter history of Polish-Ukrainian relations which Putin's invasion briefly papered over. Economic factors also haunt Warsaw's relations with Kyiv. Polish farmers made up a key component of the new Polish president's election winning coalition. They have been bitterly opposed to the EU's lifting of tariffs on Ukrainian agricultural exports since Putin's invasion. Although Brussels has in fact announced a reintroduction of tariffs on Ukrainian exports, the prospect of Ukraine's joining the EU means free trade in foodstuffs is back on the horizon. Recently, Poland's economy has grown at far faster rates than the sclerotic big three of the EU, Germany, France and Italy. Economic prosperity has boosted Poland's ability to fund a serious defence build up. Given the powerful voice that the Polish president has in foreign affairs and defence matters, Nawrocki's election will give Trump an important ally among the European leaders and sideline Donald Tusk, whose status as the EU's man in Warsaw makes him a red rag to the US president. Nawrocki's victory is the first success for Trump-style populism after the interventions by his vice-president, JD Vance, and other Maga voices in the recent German and Romanian elections had backfired. But Poland's new president got a boost from American Republicans in the days before the polls and looks set to continue his predecessor's close relationship with the Trump White House. Nawrocki's victory will add to Trump's pressure to turn EU rhetoric about rebuilding European states' defence capacity into concrete measures on the Polish model. Poland will emphasise US leadership rather than the more nebulous European strategic autonomy as promoted by France's Emmanuel Macron. Nawrocki's upset victory is a win for the West, but not for 'Europe'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
02-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Nawrocki's victory is a huge triumph for Trump
Poland has a history of confounding its critics and opponents to its West as well as its East. In Brussels or Moscow, the outcome of Poland's presidential election is a disappointment. The EU Commission had obviously hoped for the victory of the liberal Europhile mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski, who was a vocal proponent of the Brussels consensus on abortion, gay rights and even the liberalised migration rules backed by Poland's current premier and ex-EU insider, Donald Tusk. But these views were vehemently rejected by the nationalist winner, Karol Nawrocki. The new president also has a track record of being a fierce critic of Russia and has personally antagonised the Kremlin by supporting the removal of Soviet war memorials as well as Communist monuments in Poland, but his victory is a mixed blessing for Ukraine. Unlike the EU's two pro-Russian governments in Hungary and Slovakia, Nawrocki is no Kremlin apologist. As an historian Nawrocki has emphasised Poland's long history of repression by the Russian empire as well as the Soviet Union, so he is not a friend of the Kremlin. But, like his ally, the current Polish President, Andrzej Duda, Nawrocki does not ignore the bitter history of Polish-Ukrainian relations which Putin's invasion briefly papered over. Economic factors also haunt Warsaw's relations with Kyiv. Polish farmers made up a key component of the new Polish president's election winning coalition. They have been bitterly opposed to the EU's lifting of tariffs on Ukrainian agricultural exports since Putin's invasion. Although Brussels has in fact announced a reintroduction of tariffs on Ukrainian exports, the prospect of Ukraine's joining the EU means free trade in foodstuffs is back on the horizon. Recently, Poland's economy has grown at far faster rates than the sclerotic big three of the EU, Germany, France and Italy. Economic prosperity has boosted Poland's ability to fund a serious defence build up. Given the powerful voice that the Polish president has in foreign affairs and defence matters, Nawrocki's election will give Trump an important ally among the European leaders and sideline Donald Tusk, whose status as the EU's man in Warsaw makes him a red rag to the US president. Nawrocki's victory is the first success for Trump-style populism after the interventions by his vice-president, JD Vance, and other Maga voices in the recent German and Romanian elections had backfired. But Poland's new president got a boost from American Republicans in the days before the polls and looks set to continue his predecessor's close relationship with the Trump White House. Nawrocki's victory will add to Trump's pressure to turn EU rhetoric about rebuilding European states' defence capacity into concrete measures on the Polish model. Poland will emphasise US leadership rather than the more nebulous European strategic autonomy as promoted by France's Emmanuel Macron. Nawrocki's upset victory is a win for the West, but not for 'Europe'.
